[syn: numbers pool, numbers game, numbers racket, numbers]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Numbers \Num"bers\, prop. n.
pl. of Number. The fourth book of the Pentateuch,
containing the census of the Hebrews.
[1913 Webster]
WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):
Numbers
n 1: the fourth book of the Old Testament; contains a record of
the number of Israelites who followed Moses out of Egypt
[syn: Numbers, Book of Numbers]
2: an illegal daily lottery [syn: numbers pool, numbers
game, numbers racket, numbers]
The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing (19 January 2023):
numbers
(Scientific computation) Output from a computation that may
not be significant but at least indicates that the program is
running. Numbers may be used to placate management, grant
sponsors, etc. "Making numbers" means running a program
because output - any output, not necessarily meaningful output
- is needed as a demonstration of progress.
See pretty pictures, math-out, social science number.
[Jargon File]
(1995-01-13)
The Jargon File (version 4.4.7, 29 Dec 2003):
numbers
n.
[scientific computation] Output of a computation that may not be
significant results but at least indicate that the program is running. May
be used to placate management, grant sponsors, etc. Making numbers means
running a program because output — any output, not necessarily meaningful
output — is needed as a demonstration of progress. See pretty pictures,
math-out, social science number.